Rug nozzle



Nov. 4, 1958 Filed June 24, 1955 F. w. KUPPERSMITH RUG- NOZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

BY 4 L ikvvtwxx Nov. 4; 1958 F. w. KUPPERSMITH 2,853,551

RUG' NOZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1955 m INVENTOR.

Iffa IVJK United States Patent RUG NOZZLE Fred W. Kuppersmith, Bloomington, Ill., assignor to gurelsika Williams Corporation, a corporation of New Application June 24, 1955, Serial No. 517,758

Claims. (Cl. -382) This invention relates to suction cleaning and has particular reference to a novel rug cleaning nozzle incorporating simple but efficient means actuated by the flow of air into the nozzle through the mouth thereof for agitating the rug.

While suction cleaners of the tank and canister type have been and are very popular, it is well known that the rug nozzles used therewith do not adequately clean rugs and carpets because they depend upon the flow of air alone and incorporate no means for beating or agitating the carpet. Many attempts have been made to devise an adequate rug nozzle for such types of cleaners and to incorporate in such nozzle rug agitating means, but so far as I am aware, there are no such rug nozzles for such types of cleaners commercially available today.

According to my invention, I incorporate in the mouth of a rug nozzle yieldable spring means 'which obstruct the nozzle mouth and which are disposed in the path of flow of air into the nozzle through the mouth thereof, such spring means being constructed and arranged to be vigorously vibrated or agitated in response to the flow of air inwardly through the nozzle mouth, and being so positioned in the mouth as to function as an agitating means for beating a rug presented to the nozzle mouth. Such agitating means is operable independently of translation of the rug nozzle with respect to the rug, and in addition requires no valves .or other mechanism for controlling the operation thereof.

A principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a novel, efiicient and simple suction cleaning apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel, efiicie'nt and simple rug nozzle incorporating agitating means actuated by the flow of air into the nozzle through the mouth thereof for beating a rug presented to the mouth of the nozzle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel, efficient and simple duplex type of rug nozzle incorporating rug beating means actuated by the flow of air into such nozzle through the mouth thereof.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and may be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, of which there are two sheets, which by way of illustration show preferred embodiments of the invention and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying the principles of my invention. Other embodiments of the invention may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a duplex type of rug nozzle embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of one face of the nozzle;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of Patented Nov. 4, 1958" "ice ' versed from their position as illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line lit-10 of Fig. 11 and illustrating a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

As illustrated in the drawings, a rug nozzle embodying my invention consists of a hollow nozzle body 10 provided with opposed faces 12 and 14, the face 12 being provided with an air inlet mouth 16 and the face 14 being provided with an air inlet mouth 18, and the mouth 18 has associated therewith agitating means indicated generally at 20.

As shown in Fig. 3, the body 10 is swivelled on an air conducting tubular coupling 22, one end 24 of which forms a socket for accommodating the coupling end of a wand or hose (not shown), which in turn may be connected to a canister type cleaner as shown in Fig. 5. The cleaner as shown in Fig. 5 may be of the construction as illustrated in the patent to Ralph C. Osborn, No. 2,721,624, issued October 25, 1955, for Suction Cleaner, and consists eseentially of a motor driven fan and a dirt collecting receptacle, the fan being operative to draw dirt-laden air into the cleaner, and the dirt collecting receptacle functioning to collect the dirt while permitting the discharge of the air from the cleaner.

The other end of the coupling 22 is closed by a disc 26 while the periphery of the coupling member adjacent the disc is provided with a slot 28 so that, depending upon the position of the coupling member 22 with respect to the body 10, the interior of the coupling member may be connected to the nozzle mouth 16 or the nozzle mouth 18, so that when the rug nozzle is connected with a source of suction, such as the canister cleaner shown in Fig. 5, air will flow into the nozzle month which is in communication with the interior of the coupling 22 through the slot 28.

' The face 12 in which the mouth 16 is formed may have a brush 30 associated therewith, the brush functioning when the face 12 is passed over the surface of the carpet to assist in dislodging surface litter, such as thread and lint, from the carpet undergoing cleaning. The ends of the nozzle face 12 are provided with shoes or skids 32 which assist in preventing the rug undergoing cleaning from sealing the nozzle mouth 16 against the flow of air thereinto.

The agitating means 20 associated with the nozzle mouth 18 as illustrated comprises a plurality of springs 34 of closed coil formation disposed in side by side relation and spanning the nozzle mouth 18 so as to obstruct and substantially block the flow of air into the nozzle through the mouth 18. The springs 34 extend along the length of the nozzle mouth 18 and generally parallel to the plane of the surface 14, the springs 34' are. detachably secured asby screws 42 to the ends of the face 14 and form. skids. which. position the. lips. of the nozzle 18 above the surface on which the shoes 40 slide so as to prevent the rug being cleaned from sealing the nozzle mouth 18'.

The springs 34 preferably are of such length so that when assembled as shown: in Fig. 6 they will. be. under a slight tension. While I have shown five springs, I contemplate that a different number of. springs may. be employed. The number of springs will be determined by the widthand'length of the nozzle mouth, the characteristics and. dimensions of. the springs, the amount of air which it is. desired to have flow. inwardly through. the nozzle. mouth 18 whenthe nozzle is inoperation, and the degree of carpet agitation desired.

Inoperation, when the. nozzle mouth 18. is connected through the coupling 22 with a suitable source. of. suction, air will flow'into the; nozzle mouth Hand in so doing willdefiect the. springs 34: This willcausethe springs 34 to vibrate vigorously. Preferably the springs34 are made sothat adjacent springs-have, aditferent frequency of vibration. In vibrating, the springs will deflect sufiiciently so as to permit the flow ofair into the-nozzle,

and the vibration of the springs. set up bythe flow of airinto the nozzle mouth 18 will continueas long as such flow of air continues. In vibrating, the springs will vigorously beat the rug presented to the mouth of the nozzle and will permit the dirt dislodged from the rug by the beating action of the springs to be carried by the air which flows-into the nozzle mouth.

With rug nozzles of the sizes conventionally used, excellent carpet agitating or beatingv has been achieved using three, four or five springs about 8 to 10 inches in length where the. coils of the springs are of the order of in. in diameter; The. beating performance thus obtained closely approaches the beating and dirt removal performance of modern types of'floor cleaners using rotary agitators which beat the carpet. As the frequency and the vigor of the beating action of. the springs are determined by the characteristics of the springs and the flow of air through the nozzle mouth, it is evident that the quality and frequency of the agitation providedv by the springs can be varied within wide limits andv inaccordance with the results desired.

In order to achieve different frequencies of vibration in adjoining springs there are many expedients which may be used. I have found that by-inserting' in each. of the springs metal rods, such as the rods 44, of different mass or size orlength, it is possibleto obtain vditferent characteristics in adjacent coils, although other techniques might. be used for. this. purpose.

It is to .beunderstood that the springs 34 as illustrated are free except where they are secured at the ends to the blocks 36 and that when at rest they will assume a position as illustrated'in Fig. 4 wherein they obstruct the flow of air into the nozzle.

While I prefer to make the coil springs of metal, I contemplate that they might be made of other suitable materials, such as plastic or rubber, and that they may be of other form than coil springs. For wearing and performance purposes, metal has been found to be the most suitable material for the springs.

While the faces 12 and 14 are shown as being provided with ribs and grooves, the use ofthese is not critical and any other desired surface may be provided on either of these faces.

The duplex nozzle illustrated thus provides one face 12. which is adapted to clean by straight suction without beating while the other face 14 provides cleaning with a combination of suction and. agitation.

In the arrangement shown in- Figs. 8. and 9, the. vibrating. springs 134,. of which thereare three in number, are adjustably mounted with respect to the-face 14 so that they may be set at diiferent distances therefrom. This.

arrangement thus affordssome control of the vigorwith 4, which the agitating springs will beat a carpet presented to. the inlet. mouthv of. the. nozzle. In thisv arrangement the sides of the nozzle mouth are indicated at 136. A bracket 138 is associated with each end of the nozzle month 140 which is defined by the sides 136. The brackets 138 are provided with cross pins 141 to which the ends of the springs 136 are anchored, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The assembly as shown in Fig. 8 is associated with the face 14 of the nozzle so that the springs 134 would occupy the position of the springs 34 and so that the brackets 138'wouldbe accommodated in recesses formed between the shoes 40 and'the nozzle body. The sides 136 may be formed out of a piece of metal which is provided at the-endxthereof with a portion 142 which may be formed so as to be clamped. between the shoes 40 and the nozzle body, or otherwise suitably secured so that the springs 134 will extend across the nozzle mouth 140. A screw 144 rotatably mounted in the portion 142. is threadedthroughv a threaded opening inthe bracket 138 so that upon rotation. of the screw I44'the' bracket 138' will be moved along the screw 144, thereby moving the springs 134' toward or. away from the inlet end 146 of the nozzle mouth. To provide access to the slotted end of the screws 144, the shoes 40 may eachbc provided with a hole. Thus, by rotating the screws 144 at each end of the nozzle, the position of the springs withinv the nozzle may be adjusted with respect to the face 14 of the-nozzle.

The arrangement shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is a modification of that illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 but differs therefrom in that the adjustable features for the springs 134 are omitted and, further, by the fact that the center spring 150 instead of beingv mounted at its ends as shown in Fig. 8 is carried byapost 152 which in turn is carried by a bridge 154 carried by the sides 136 of the nozzle mouth. The ends of'thespring- 150 are free. This thus provides an arrangement in which the two outer springs 134 would have their greatest range of vibration at the center lengthwise of the nozzle, while the spring 150 would have its greatest range of? vibration at the ends of the nozzle mouth since such. ends are not anchored to the cross pins 141. The spring 150 may be secured to the post 152 in any. suitable-fashion.

While I-have illustrated and-described a-preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and I therefore do-not wish to belimited to the precise details set forth but'desire to avail myself of such. changes and alteration'sare fall within the purview of the following claims.

I.- claim:

1'. A suction nozzle comprisingahollow body adapted to have suction applied to the: interior thereof and having an' elongated air inlet mouth in fluidflow communication with the interior of said hollow body, said mouth being adapted for presentation to the surface of a rug to be cleaned, said body and mouth being constructed so that the application of suction to the interior of said body will effect the unidirectional flow of air through said mouth into said body, a plurality of elongated vibratory springs disposed in and across said. nozzle mouth and arranged when at rest so as to substantially block the flow of: air into said body throughv said'mouth and so that such springs must be displaced from their. at rest position. to permit substantial flow of air through said mouth into said body duringoperation of said nozzle, said springs being constructed and arranged to be vibrated solely and directly by and in response to'such unidirectional flow of air through said 'mouth and intosaid body when suction is applied to the interior of said body, said springs being disposed so as'when vibrated to mechanically beat a rug presented'to the mouth' of said nozzle and to permit dirt laden'air dislodgedfrom saidrug by the beating action-of said springsrto fiowintosaid .body through said mouth, the frequency of the beating action being determined by the characteristics of said springs and such unidirectional flow of air through said mouth into said nozzle body.

2. A suction nozzle according to claim 1 wherein said springs are coil springs with adjacent coils in contact with each other.

3. A suction nozzle according to claim 1 wherein said springs are disposed in side by side relation.

4. A suction nozzle according to claim 1 wherein said springs are secured at the ends thereof to said body. 7

5. A suction nozzle according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said springs is a coil spring secured at its ends to said body.

6. A suction nozzle comprising a hollow body having an air inlet mouth adapted for presentation to the surface of a rug to be cleaned, said body and mouth being constructed so that the application of suction to the interior of said body will effect the unidirection flow of air through said mouth into said body, yieldable spring means disposed in and completely across said nozzle mouth in the path of flow of air into said body through said mouth and so as to afford, when at rest, substantial resistance to the flow of air into said body through said mouth and so that such spring means must be displaced from their at rest position to permit substantial flow of air through said mouth into said body during operation of said nozzle, said spring means being constructed and arranged to be deflected and vibrated solely and directly by and in response to the flow of air through said mouth into said body and independently of the translation of said nozzle over a surface to be cleaned, said spring means being positioned in said nozzle mouth so as when vibrating to function as an agitating means for mechanically beating a rug presented to the mouth of said nozzle.

7. A suction nozzle according to claim 6 wherein said spring means comprise a plurality of coil springs.

8. A suction cleaning device comprising a hollow body having an air inlet mouth adapted for presentation to a surface to be cleaned, said body and mouth being constructed so that the application of suction to the interior of said body will etfect the unidirectional flow of air through said mouth into said body, yieldable closed coil spring means disposed in and completely across said mouth in the path of flow of air into said body through said mouth and substantially obstructing the flow of air into said body through said mouth and so that such spring means must be displaced from their at rest position to permit substantial flow of air through said mouth into said body during operation of said nozzle, said spring means being constructed and arranged to be vigorously agitated directly and solely by and in response to the flow of air through said mouth into said body and being positioned in said mouth so as to function as an agitating means for beating a surface presented to said mouth, and means for continuously creating suction in said body so as to induce the unidirectional flow of air inwardly through said mouth thereby to actuate said agitating means.

9. A suction nozzle according to claim 6 wherein said spring means comprises an elongated spring which is mounted intermediate its ends so thatthe ends of such spring will be vibrated in response to the flow of air through the mouth of said nozzle.

10. A suction nozzle according to claim 1 wherein one of said springs is mounted at its ends so that the intermediate part of said spring is free to vibrate and wherein another of said springs is mounted at its center so that the ends of said other spring are free to vibrate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,034,260 Lichtenberg July 30, 1912 1,848,731 Langer Mar. 8, 1932 1,894,905 Fechtenburg Jan. 17, 1933 2,319,927 Hansson May 25, 1943 2,622,265 Allen Dec. 23, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 577,730 Germany June 3, 1933 853,819 France Dec. 16, 1933 

